Liquid-fuel-supply apparatus for internal-combustion engines



w. BOWDEN. LIQUID FUEL SUPPLY APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3. I920.

Patented Oct. 31', 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W. BOWDEN. LIQUID FUEL SUPPLY APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3,1920.

Patented Oct. 31, 1922.

2ISHEETS-SHET 2.

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4 IIIIIU Patented Oct. 31, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM BOWDE'N. 0F MANCHESTER. ENGLAND.

Application filed November 3, 1920.

T 0 all whom it may co'iwern:

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM BOWDEN, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and a resident of Manchester, in the county of Lancaster, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Liquid-l uel-qupply Apparatus for Internalllombustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

' his invention relates to liquid-fuel supply apparatus for internal combustion engines, and to apparatus of the kind wherein the liquid-fuel is raised by suction from a main supply tank or chamber into 'a supplemental vessel whence the liquid fuel flows by gravity to an auxiliary vessel and from. the latter to the carburettor of the engines, suitable valves being provided for controlling the liquid inlet to and outlet from said supplementary vessel and the connection of the latter with a source of suction and the atmosphere.

In liquid-fuel supply apparatus of the kind referred to the valves aforesaid have hitherto been operated by a float, which rises and falls with the level of the liquid in the su 'ipleinentary chamber, through the medium of mechanical means. The main object of this invention is to provide improved float-controlled means for operating the valves whereby the work to be performed by the float or floats is reduced to a minimum and the operation of the valves is rendered certain and the apparatus functions with precisioi'i. A further object is to provide in such apparatus means for metering the total quantity of liquid-fuel supplied.

According to the invention the valves of a liquid-fuel supply apparatus of'the kind referred to are operated by electro-magnetic devices the circuits of which are controlled by float-actuated switches.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. l is a central vertical section of one form of liquid-fuel supply apparatus embodying the invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the valves hereinafter more particularly referred to, Fig. 3 is a diagram of the electrical connections and Fig. 4 is diagrai'x'unatic view illustrating the general arrangement of the apparatus for supplying liquid. fuel to the carburettor of an internal combustion engine. i

Referring to the drawings, the liquid-fuel supply apparatus comprises an upper chamber 1 of predetermined capacity and herein- Serial No. 421,517.

,4, which is arranged below the level of the measuring chamber 1 and on a level with or below the carburettor w. The measuring chamber 1 has an outlet 4 to the receiving chamber 2 which is provided with a draw-off outlet connected by a pipe 2" with the flea t chamber m of the carburettor m.

\Vit-hin the measuring chamber 1 are arranged needle valves 5 and 6 for controlling the inlet 3 and outletft respectively. The valves 5 and 6 are operatively connected by a rocking lever 7 pivoted at 8 to lugs 9 on the underside of the cover 10 of the measuring chamber 1. The ends of the arms of the rocking lever 7 are bifurcated and co-act with and between collars 5, 5" and 6, (3 on the stems otthe valves 5 and 6 respectively, in such manner that when the valve 5 is raised and opened, valve 6 is depressed and closed, and vice versa. The upper ends of the stems of the valves 5 and 6 pass through stuffing boxes 5, 6 into tubular extensions 11 and 11 on the cover 10 of the measuring chamber 1 and are fOIll'RQd with, or connected to, the plungers or cores 12 and 13 of solenoids 14 and 15 arranged on the extensions 11 and 11 respectively.

The circuits of the solenoids 14, 15 are controlled by floats 16, 17 respectively. The lower float 16 operates in a casing 18 arranged in a chamber 19 disposed in the lower part of the measuring chamber 1 and extending into the receiving chamber 2. The casing 18 communicates at the bottom with the chamber 19 by holes 18*, and at the top it communicates with the measuring cham:

her 1 by holes 18 The chamber 19 communicates with the inlet 3 and with the measuring chamber 1 by passages 19 at the top and holes 19 in its wall near the base of the measuring chamber. The chamber 19 also communicates with the inlet 3 by an opening 19. The lower end of the float 16 is provided with a stem 20 which passes freely through a central hole in the bottom of the casing 18 and carries a switch-member 21 which is adapted to coact with contacts 22, 22- attached to the underside of the base of the casing 18 and to which the conductors 23, 23 of the solenoid 14 are connected by being clamped between same and the base of the casing. The upper end of the float 16 carries guide stems 2O which pass through some of the holes 18 to guide the float in its rising and falling movements. V

The upper float 17 is mounted in a casing; 2% carried by the cover 10 and communicating with the measuring chamber 1 by means o1 holes 24 in its wall and holes 24" in its lower end. The lower end of the float 1'7 is provided with a depending stem 25 which passes freely through a central hole in the base of the casing Q l and carries a switch member 26 adapted to co-act with contacts 27, 27 in the circuit of the solenoid 1a and also having inclined or upturned ends. The upper end of the float 17 carries guide stems 2-5 which pass through holes in a perforated partition 28 to guide the float in its movements.

, The upper ends of the tubular extensions 11, 11 on which the solenoids 1e, 15 are mounted communicate by passages 29, 2

tion connection 31 are controlled by valves 32, 33-carr1ed by stems 12 13 on the cores 12, 13 of the solenoids 14, 15.

As shown in Fig. 3, one end of the windingor each of the solenoids 14, 15 is connected to a common terminal 34 on the cover 10, to which terminal one terminal of a battery 35 or other source of electrical energy is also connected bya lead 36. The other ends of the windings of the solenoids l t, 15 are connected to terminals 37 38 respectively. The other terminal oi? the batteryi35 is connected by a lead 39 toa conductor 10 carrying two terminals ll l2. The conductor 23 connects terminal ST'to contact 22 and conductor 23 connects contact 22 to terminal 41.. Terminal 38 is connected by conductor 43 to contact 27. and

contact 27 is connected by conductor e'll to tcrn'nnal l2. Thusthe circuit through solenoid 14;; is itrom battery or source 35 by lead 36, terminal til, the winding of solenoid 14's,

terminal 37', conductor 23, contact 22, switclr member 21 carried by lower float 16 contact 22, conductor 23", terminal 4-1, conductor and lead 39 back to the battery or source The circuit through solenoid 15 is frombattery or source 35 by lead 36, terminal 3st, the Wll'lCllIlQ of solenoid l5 terminal 38, conductor 4?, col ried by upper float 17, contact 2?, conductor chamber 1 from the act 27. switch-member 26 carl l, terminal 4E2, conductor 40 and lead 39 back to the battery or source An electrically operated registering device of any known and appropriate construction is provided in one or other of the circuits torthe purpose of registering the num ber of times the measuring or receiving chamber is tilled. In the diagram of Fig. 3, a device is indicated in the circuitof the solenoid 15 between terminal 38 and contact 27,, but it will be nderstood that the device may be arranged in any other position in the circuit or in the circuit of the solenoid ll.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows Assuming the measuring vessel 1 to be filling, the valves 5, 6, 323 and 33 and the reel n o lever 7 will. be in the positions shown '11, and measuring chamber 1 will be in 1 1g.

open to the liquid inlet and to the pipe 31 communicating with the source of suction and cut oil from receiving chamber 2 and the atmosphere. Measliriirr chamber 1 is thus put under a reduced pressure and liquid drawn into the chamber through the pipe 3 from the main supply tank w. On the liquid rising in the chamber 1. to a predetermined level and the upper float 17 being lifted by the liquid which passes into the casing 24., the switch-member 26 co-acts with contacts 2. 27, thus closing the circuit, through the solenoid 15 and the registering device 45. On the closingof this circuit, the device 45 is operated and the valves 6 and 33 are raised to open the outlet to the receiving chamber2 and cut oil measuring source ot' suction. respectively, valves and 32 being simultaneously depressed by the action of the rocking lever T to clo-e the liquid inlet 3 and open its atmosphere connection 30, respectively. when, measuring chamber now being isolated from the soi'lrce of suction and put under atmospheric pressure the liquid in measuring chamber 1 flows under gravity into the receiving chamber 2. On the emptying of receiving" chamber 1 the lower float l6 falls and switch-inember 21. contacts with contacts 22. 22 completing the circuit through solenoid l l which then lifts valves 5 and 32 to open the liquid inlet 3 and close the atmosphere connection 30, re-

spectively. valves (3 and 33 being simultaneously depressed by rocking lever T to close outlet at to receiving chamber 2 and again put measuring chamber 1 in communication with the source of suction. respectively, when the cycle of operation repeated.

In order to ensure the ellicient closing" of the several valves, the valves 32. 33 may. as shown better in Fig". 2 and exemplified in connection with. the valve 33, be mounted on the stems 12, 13 so as to be capable of limited movement relatively thereto. (orb 'veniently the valves are recessed to fit on lOO the ends of the stems and are connected thereto by cross-pins 46 (o-operating with slotted holes 47 in the wall of the recessed part and are acted upon by springs 18 arranged between them and the cores 12, 13.

In some cases, the valve 32 for controlling the atmosphere connectionBO may be dis pensed with and the measuring chamber 1 be continuously in connnunication with the atmosphere, the connection 30 in such cases being so proportioned that when the suction connection 31 is opened a partial vacuum created in the measuring chamher.

It will be obvious that instead of the switch members 2.1 and 26 being carried and actuated by separate floats, both switch members may be carried and actuated by a single float.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is:-

l. Liquid-fuel supply app-a 'atus comprising in combination, a vessel provided with an inlet and an outlet for the liquid, an atmosphere connection, and a connection adapted to be connected with a source of Slliiififii a receiving chamber adapted to reeivc liquid fromsaid vessel by way of said outlet: valves adapted to open said liquid inlet and said suction (JOIlllQltlOll to said vessel and close the outlet therefrom to said rereiving vessel, and vice versa; electromagnetic devices arranged in electrical circuits for operating said valves: switches adapted to be actuated by variations in the level of the liquid in said vessel to control the circuits of said electrmuagnetic devices and an electrical registrating device inserted with one of said switches for registering the filling or emptying of said vessel.

:2. Liquid-fuel supply apparatus comprising in combination, a vessel provided with an inlet and an outlet for the liquid. an atmosphere comiection, and a connection adapted to be connected with a source of suction: a receiving chamber adapted to receive liquid from said vessel by way of: said outlet; valves adapted to open said liquid inlet and said suction conm-ction to said vessel and close said atmosphere connection to said vessel and said outlet therefrom to said receiving vessel. and vice versa electro magnetic devices arranged in electrical circuits for operating said valves; switches adapted to be actuated by variations in the level of the liquid in said vessel to control the circuits of said electromagnetic devices and an electrical registrating device inserted with one of said switches for registering the filling or emptying of said vessel.

3. Liquid-fuel supply apparatus con'iprising in combination, a vessel provided with air inlet and an outlet for the liquid. an atmosphere connection. and a connection adapted to be connected with a source of suction; a receiving chamber adapted to receive liquid from said vessel by way of said outlet; valves adapted to open said liquid inlet and said suction connection to said vessel and close said atn'iosphere connection to said vessel and saidoutlet therefrom. to said receiving vessel, and vice versa; operative means connecting said. valves whereby when one set is closed the other set is opened; electromagnetic devices arranged in elec trical circuits for operating said valves; switches adapted to be actuated by variations in the level of the liquid in said vessel to control the circuits of said electromagnetic devices alternately so that the liquid inlet and suction connection areclosed and the outlet and atmosphere connection are opened when the vessel is tilled and the outlet and atmosphere connection are closed and the inlet and the suction connection are. opened when the vessel is emptied and an electrical registrating device inserted with one of said switches for registering the tilling or emptying of said vessel.

t. Liquid-fuel supply apparatus comprising in combination, a vessel provided with an inlet, and an outlet for the liquid, an atmosphere connection. and a connection adapted to be connected with a source of suction; a receiving chamber adapted to receiveliqnid from said vessel by way of said outlet; valves adapted to open said liquid inlet and said suction connection to said vessel and close said atmosphere connection to said vessel. and said outlet therefrom to said receiving vessel, and vice versa; electromagnetic devices arranged in electrical circuits for operating said valves; switches adapted to be actuated by variations in the level of the liquid in said vessel to control the circuits of said ele:-tromagnetic devices; and an electrical registering device in circuit with one of said electromagnetic devices tor registering the filling or emptying of said vessel.

A liquid-fuel supply apparatus comprising in combination a measuring vessel provided with inlets and outlets, valves controlling said inlets and outlets, electro magnetic devices arranged in electrical circuits for operating said valves, switches adapted to be actuated by variations in the level of the liquid in said vessels to control the circuits of said electro magnetic devices, and an electrical registering device in circuit with one of said electro magnetic devices for registering the filling or emptying of said vessels.

6. In a liquid-fuel supply apparatus, a measuring vessel provided with an inlet for the liquid and an opening to the atmosphere, alined valves for said inlet and opening, a stem connecting said valves and of proper length to close one 'alve when the other is open, said vessel being further provided with suction and outlet opening, alined valves controlling the suction and outlet openings, a stem connecting the last mentioned "valves and of a length suiiic icnt to open one of the valves when the other is closed, a rocking lever connecting said stems whereby one of the stuns moves in one direction simultaneously with the movement of the other stems in the opposite direction to alternately eil ect opening and closing of the inlet and outlet, solenoid cores each mounted on respective stein, solenoids surrounding said cores, and float controlled means for selectively energizing said solenoids.

T. .ln a llql'llCl-lllel supply apparatus, a measuring vessel provided with an. inlet for the liquid and an opening to the atmosphere, alincd valves for said inlet and opening, a stem connecting said valves and of proper length to close one va ve when the other is open, said vessel be i. further provided with suction and outlet opening, alined valves controlling the suction and outlet openings, a stern connecting}; the last mentioned valves and of a length sutlicicnt to open. one of the valves when the other is closed, a rocking; lever connecting; said stems whereby one ot the Steins moves in one direction simultaneously with the 11lovement of the other stems in the opposite direction to alternately effect opening and closing of the inlet and outlet, solenoid cores each mounted on a respective stein.

solenoids surrounding! said cores, a low level. 7

float in said vessel, a high level float in said vessel, circuit closers arranged for respective closing by the upward movement of the high level float and downward 11lovement of the low level float, and electrical connections between the respective circuit closers, and the respective solenoids.

S. In a liquid-fuel supply apparatus, a measuring; vessel provided with an inlet for the liquid and an opening to the atmosphere, alined valves for saidinlet and opening, a stem connecting said valves and of proper length to close one valve when the other is open said vessel being further provided with suction and outlet opening, alined valves controlling the suction and outlet openings, a stern connecting the last mentioned valves and of a length sullicient to open one or the valves when the other is closed, a rocking lever connecting said stems whereby one of the stems moves in one direction simultaneously with the movement of the other-stems in the opposite direction to alternately el'l'ect openinp and closing" of the inlet and outlet, solenoid cores each mounted on a respective stennsoleholds surrouru ling said cores, a low lever float chamber in tllGllOttOlll of said vessel and having port communication therewith, a high level float chamber at the top of said and having port con'iinunication therewith, floats in said chambers, a circuit'closer below each of said chambers, the respective circuit closers being arranged to close by the upward movement of the float in. the upper chamber and the downward movement of the float in the lower chamher, and electrical connections between the circuit closers and the respective solenoids.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM BOWDEN. 

